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Samantha’s life is good, mostly. She loves her father deeply, but even daddy’s little girl finds the life of a military brat trying. Despite being the “new girl” too often, she soldiers on. Her mom could not. She lives for his life, but now wants one of her own. Helpless but to stand witness, Samantha’s life is once again packed up and shipped off, this time without her dad.

She now resides in the remote town of Columbus Cove. Saving her from the debilitating isolation was the cove’s latest resident, Channing Ashford. It’s as if he has stepped off the cover of a romance novel and into the sleepy little town. He is charming and handsome and Samantha’s sole focus. The reformed drifter reenergizes her and they find sanctuary within each other.

When a shocking murder claims more than one victim, the couple is blindsided. They find themselves embroiled in an investigation that threatens their newly found happiness. All their reserves of sanctuary are spent as the secrets that lay buried beneath the unpaved roads of Columbus Cove come to light.

Sheriff Martin Shuller was good at his job. He had a reputation of being a very thorough and very honest investigator. It had not surprised anyone when he was tapped to help with an investigation in a small neighboring town with shocking high profile murder. Shuller, willing to help the quaint cove, readily accepted the challenge. Leaving his town in the safe hands of his deputy, Shuller traveled to Columbus Cove and worked the Steven Harrigan murder investigation. With the dramatic end to that case now behind him, Shuller returned to his seemingly normal and quiet town of Huntersville. He was glad to be back, despite only being gone for the brief time. A weight had felt lifted once he could return to his town, his routines, his life. He felt as if all the previous mounting stress left him as soon as he crossed into his town’s outer limits. Quiet and normal was what he was seeking. It certainly was not what he found.

Not long after returning home to his life and routine, a murder occurs, and it is too close for comfort for Shuller. Shuller, who always kept his personal life personal, now is faced with a dilemma as his personal life is now entangled in the spotlight of a murder investigation. Not wanting to taint the investigation, he is powerless to help and is sidelined, watching his officers work the case. His only solace he finds now is with Jeanie. Jeanie Jacobs is the dispatcher of the local fire house. His long suffering secretary, Susan, finally worked her magic and had gotten the two together. Shuller now regrets the times he pushed aside Susan’s match making attempts in the past as he now realizes Jeanie is all he can hold onto during the course of the investigation.

Shuller tries to come to grips with these revelations as those close to him worry for the embattled sheriff. As with most murders, there is more than just a single victim. Shuller had never thought that what had occurred in that house on Cedar Mill Lane would have uprooted what the reality he thought he knew.

It surprised no one when Sarah and Jack married right out of high school; not because Sarah was pregnant at 19, but because they had been inseparable since sophomore year. Sarah gave birth to twins, Mark and Julie, and a year later, Jacob. They settled in upstate New York, Jack a business manager and Sarah a Real Estate agent. They had the ‘mom and apple pie’ life.

Their picturesque dream life turned into a nightmare when on a warm summer’s day at the local park, the penny dropped. What would forever be referred to as The Incident changed their family forever.

Four years later, they welcomed Christian into their home. The foster child turned adopted son never understood why Sarah was overprotective, but dutifully obeyed all her restrictive rules. When he started acting out, the couple were desperate to find out the cause of their son’s bizarre behavior. However, when Christian tells them about his friend they realize just why they are suffering at the hands of their son.

When it comes to family, it’s the ties that bind…

Excerpt

She had gathered up the full trash bags and placed them by the door leading to the garage. Sarah moved back to the dining room, stacked all of Christian’s gifts, and made her way down the hallway. She was headed to Christian’s room. Laden with various board games and a few action figures, she reached Christian’s bed and deposited the games and toys there for him to sort through later. She turned and stopped immediately.

This was his room. The thought was abruptly sharp and unwelcomed. Sarah snapped her eyes shut to the idea. Her body seized and became rigid. She bowed her head as if the idea weighed her down physically. Oh god, please not now, she pleaded with herself. I can’t anymore, just stop, please. She rolled her shoulders back and took in a shaky breath. She tried to escape the images in her head; how the room used to be green, how there used to be a border of baseballs and bats that encircled the room, how that ratty old stuffed monkey was ever present on his bed.

Sarah willed herself to open her eyes. All those thoughts vanished within an instant. She stood in the center of the room now painted blue. Gone was the wallpaper border, the old stuffed monkey. Gone were all his things, safely tucked away in a box in the attic. She had packed them herself. She thought it would help put it all to rest if she tended to his room personally. She packed all of his things, not once considering throwing anything away or donating it. Those were his things. She could not bear storing them in the attic herself. She left that task to Jack. After all, he was not there that day. He was not the one that was to blame. He did not have that burden. No, it became Jack’s task to put his things out of sight.

She shook herself again. No, don’t go down that path, she warned herself. She took a moment to collect herself and left the room. She sighed as she slipped down the hallway slowly. Not meaning to, her eyes drifted towards the ceiling, towards the hatch to the attic. She felt her stomach churn. He’s up there, she thought grimly. She knew what was once his now lived in boxes in the attic. Her mouth was drying again. Her movements slowed to a virtual stop.

Why? That one word has nagged her for years. Her head dropped again. She could feel the tears welling up behind her closed eyelids. The taste of bile was in the back of her throat. It was these moments that she too wondered why they stayed in the house. She wanted to flee, to hide from the pain. She flashed to the illogical reasoning behind why she never wanted to move. He was still here. She felt him. She could close her eyes and hear him. He was there in the house. She could picture him in her mind, playing, laughing. How could she leave her little boy?

Then the part of her that felt she deserved to re-live the pain emerged. The part of her that wanted her to remember what her actions caused. It was her fault. The incident. This was her penance living here amongst his memories. These feelings were to serve as a painful reminder for her to be better now than she was to him then.

The pain was not always there. It did not always hit her when she goes to Christian’s room. This feeling was sporadic. It would strike at a moment’s notice. Once it did hit, it was unforgiving, paralyzing. Sarah was helpless to stop it. She had to ride the wave until it subsided. Those pills that one doctor prescribed for her only made it worse. While they were supposed to help her depression, it only helped suppressed everything. The issue was still there, it was just lying in wait. Nothing could ease the guilt she felt, nor did she think she should be given that absolution.

She lifted her head again. Her unshed tears threatening to spill down her face. Sarah wiped at her eyes as if to brush away the torment she felt at that moment. She swallowed hard and began to walk down the hallway once more. She quickened her pace the closer she got to the attic door. She ducked her head and winced slightly as she passed beneath it as if it would take a swipe at her. She left the hallway as quick as she could. Her pulse pounded in her ears for a moment, then subsided a bit. Sarah took in a deep breath and headed to the joyful noise of the kids outside.

I’m so excited to be attending this event. This is my first time, and only my second actual book event, but I have heard wonderful things, and gotten lots of recommendations. Plus I’m looking forward to all the workshops and panels. I’m attending as a blogger, reader, and aspiring writer. So this event has a little bit of everything for me. If you haven’t already, hurry and grab your tickets. It’s going to be a blast. A super fun and enriching experience.

This year’s Indie BookFest will take place October 7-9, 2016, in beautiful Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Indie BookFest is central Florida’s premier author-reader event, featuring an amazing Industry Day, with reps from book vendors, promotion sites and other professionals presenting information all authors need to grow their business.

But that’s just the beginning. In addtion to Industry Day workshops and panels, IBF also includes the best reader panels, FanFare Author/Reader Party (the theme this year is A Night In Paris), a special Young Adult Session, Meet and Greets, perks for our All-Star Readers, a fun Zombie party and a huge, FREE book signing.

AND our special keynote speaker, the awesome Cristin Harber!

A very few VIP tickets are still available. These include unlimited access to the Green Room and special meet and greets for VIPs only. Our general admission, Industry Day and YA session tickets are still available, too.

What: Indie BookFest 2016

When: October 7-9, 2016

Where: Indie BookFest 2016 will take place at Hilton Hotel and Resort in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Make yourself at home in our hotel in Altamonte Springs, FL, Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs. Whether you’re getting comfortable in a spacious guest room – designed with your business hotel needs in mind with high-speed internet access, a dual-line phone and oversized, ergonomically-designed work area – or enjoying a plunge in the outdoor heated pool, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect way to relax. Curl up in front of a movie on the 37-inch flat-screen TV or meet your deadlines at the dedicated business center, offering printing, photocopying and express mail to assist corporate guests.Reward yourself with an invigorating workout in the fully equipped fitness center, explore the nearby shops of Altamonte Springs Mall or enjoy a romantic dinner at the vibrant U Restaurant, serving up delicious options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Capital 1: WORKSHOP: Getting Noticed: Ads on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon: Do they work, what are the best practices? Led by Cristin Harber and HD Smith

Capital 2: PANEL: Branding: how do you find your branding, how do you exploit your branding?

11-11:45AM

Capital 1:WORKSHOP: It Takes Two: Author Business Accountability Partnerships We’re not talking co-writers; this is business accountability and idea sparking, an informal relationship that doubles the brain power and reach of each author. We’ll talk about the benefits: sharing new venues for promotion, offering critical review of blurbs, covers, release plans and schedules, encouragement and support, supplementing talents (trading editing for graphics!) and sharing a support team. We’ll also explore how you can find the right business accountability partner to enhance your career. Led by Olivia Hardin and Tawdra Kandle

Capital 2: PANEL: Covers, formatting, blurbs: what makes the biggest difference? How much do you play with it?

12-12:45PM

Capital 1 AND 2:WORKSHOP: Hitting the Reboot Button: How to (Re) Launch Your Career by Jana Oliver Sometimes even veteran authors need to push the “reboot” button. It might be to launch a pseudonym or establish a presence in a different genre. Or maybe you wish to reset reader expectations. Regardless of why, how do you build a new author brand with zero fan base? This presentation will take a peek inside a real-world example. You’ll learn how to create a new author platform, lay out a media campaign, and solutions to the “But I’ve never heard of you” issue. By the end of the presentation, you’ll know how to find your “influencers”, which social media platforms are your best bet based on your “target market”, and the real cost of that career reboot. And of course, if you’re just starting out, rebooting strategies can be adapted for new authors as well.

** LUNCH 1-2 PM**

2-2:45PM

Capital 1: Reader Panel

Capital 2: AUTHORPANEL: Pricing: what’s the best pricing on books? Loss leader still working? How often do you change your price?

3-3:45PM

Capital 1: Reader Panel

Capital 2:AUTHORPANEL: The Care and Feeding of An Author: healthy lifestyle choices and how to make them work for you

Young Adult Session–perfect for aspiring young authors as well as those younger readers!

TWO huge parties

FanFare at Indie BookFest16 will take place Friday night (October 7th) from 7:30-11 PM.

You are invited to dress however you like:
be inspired by Paris in the Belle Époque (Flaubert, Renoir, la Ballets Russes . . .)
or Paris in the Roaring 20’s (think Hemingway, the Fitzgeralds, Picasso . . .)
or Paris in the Swinging 60’s (fashion and art combine!) or Paris 2016.

Saturday, October 8th from 7PM to 11PM at Indie Bookfest 2016!”

On Saturday night of Indie BookFest16, a group of wonderful authors will be hosting this party.

“After months of uncertainty, the CDC has finally released the general quarantine. The virus has stabilized (or so we think), and people are finally able to start coming out of their hiding places.

Society’s new motto: Zombies Are People, Too

Join authors Ceci Giltenan, HD Smith, Violet Howe, and SE Smith for a night of Zombie Fun! Come as you are (and be zombified at the party) or dress as your favorite zombified character.

We’ll have a Zombie DJ, refreshments, and cash bar!

FREE parking

FREE signing*October 8th, 2016 3:00-
6:00PM*

Giveaways Galore–you won’t believe how big some of them are!

VIP tickets

Amazing value for your money, no matter which ticket you buy

Goody bags for everyone!

DON’T WAIT TICKETS ARE ALMOST GONE!!

CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL THERE ! COME FIND ME (Tamye Whitener) during the event, say “Hi” and get a picture taken with me. With your permission I would love to add them to the blog during or after #IBF2016.

Wellcome to my blog my name is Beth i live in Wales in the UK its full of green grass and lots of hill oh and sheep haha.i wanted to start a blog so i could write about my life , my journey on finding my self , my kids and anything that is on my mind which could be anything from make up , men , chocolate ANYTHING. I suppose its sort of like a dairy.i dont get to spent as much time as i would like on here but starting from today i am going to make the time even if its for just 10 small moments